Dan Wiersma, Glenview’s budget director for nearly a decade, is calling it quits — accepting a buy-out offered to senior employees who depart by June 30. Wiersma earns $138,295, and the village is prepared to pay even more for his replacement. Here’s the ad placed by a municipal headhunter:
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
The Village of Glenview, IL (pop. 45,000) a dynamic, progressive community located in the northern suburbs of Chicago, is seeking highly motivated and experienced municipal finance professionals to lead its financial operations. Located 17 miles north of downtown Chicago, the Village of Glenview has undergone significant development and redevelopment in recent years following the closing of the Glenview Naval Air Station which comprised 1.5 square miles in the center of the Village’s corporate limits. The Village is a AAA rated community with an annual budget of $208 million and 350 full time employees. CFO candidates must possess outstanding leadership and management skills with a strong desire to work in a municipal environment that embraces analytical approaches to service delivery including the development of departmental business plans, the establishment of performance measurements, and the development of five-year operating and capital budgets to assist in facilitating policy decisions. The Village seeks Candidates with a comprehensive knowledge of progressive public finance practices, short and long range financial planning experience, TIF experience and budget preparation. A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration or related field is required; a CPA, MPA, MBA or similar advanced degree is preferred. Candidates should have seven to ten years increasingly responsible experience in public finance management. Private sector experience welcome provided candidates have strong background in fund accounting. Starting salary: $145,000 +/- DOQ, plus excellent benefits, negotiable, dependent on qualifications and experience. Residency not required. Apply with résumé, by April 20, 2008.
The Glenview Watch 
Small correction, Mr. Wiersma is the Director of Finance. The Budget Director left earlier this year, the Purchasing Agent and accountant are gone,development and finance assistant on their way out. Looks like 100% turnover for the bean counters. I am sure things will be vastly improved with this new plan. These people were old and had been there way too long. Time for a completely fresh start.
I suppose you have applied for the job Deb. Check back in a year and see if this is a good thing for Glenview. Funny how it seems ALL of the Top Management have seemed to keep Glenview afloat yet they are all gone or leaving. Think about it…